Life History Parameters and Spawning Potential Ratio of Upeneus vittatus (Forsskål, 1775) in the Coastal Waters of Lebak and Sukabumi, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract It is necessary to obtain information regarding the life history and stock status of the yellow-striped goatfish (Upeneus vittatus) in the coastal waters of Lebak and Sukabumi, Indonesia. This study aims to determine the stock status of U. vittatus in the coastal waters of Lebak and Sukabumi based on their life history parameters and length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR). Eight hundred seventy-four samples were collected from Binuangeun, Palabuhanratu Nusantara, and Ciwaru Fishing Ports. The monthly length frequency data were obtained from July to December 2022. The results show that the Von Bertalanffy growth parameter was Lt=254(1-e−(0.58(t+0.154)) for males, Lt=239(1-e−(0.42(t+0.221)) for females, and Lt = 258(1-e−(0.37(t+0.246)) for both. The mature gonads of U. vittatus were mostly obtained from October to December. The length of first maturity L50 and L95 were 158 mm and 236 mm for males and 149 mm and 229 mm for females, respectively. The exploitation rate (E) on male, female, and combined U. vittatus revealed that E values exceed 0.5 or are overexploitation. The estimated SPR of U. vittatus was 23%, lower than the target reference point of 40%. Therefore, U. vittatus was fully exploited in the coastal waters of Lebak and Sukabumi.